Co-operative Publishing Company Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Co-operative Publishing Company Building
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The building in 2015
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | Harrison Ave. and 2nd St., Guthrie, Oklahoma |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architect | Joseph Pierre Foucart |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001564 |
| Added to NRHP | March 7, 1973 |
The Co-operative Publishing Company Building is an old and important building in Guthrie, Oklahoma. It's so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's officially recognized for its history. This building was once the main office for the State Capitol newspaper from 1902 to 1911. It was built after an earlier building, used by the same newspaper since 1890, was destroyed.
Contents
The State Capital Newspaper Story
How the Newspaper Started
The State Capital newspaper began on March 30, 1889. It was started by Franklin Hilton Greer in Winfield, Kansas. Less than a month later, the newspaper moved to Guthrie. This happened during the exciting Land Run of 1889, when many people rushed to claim land in Oklahoma. When it moved, the newspaper changed from being a weekly paper to a daily one.
The very first daily edition in Guthrie came out on April 22, 1889. This made the State Capitol the first daily newspaper ever published in what is now Oklahoma.
Growing Bigger and Moving In
At first, the newspaper was in a different spot in Guthrie. But in 1890, Greer moved the business. They rented space in a building at Second and Harrison Streets. This is the same spot where the current historic building stands today.
As more and more people read the newspaper, it needed more space. So, the company rented even more rooms. In 1897, the newspaper bought the entire three-story building. This building actually had four floors if you counted the basement!
By 1900, the top-floor tenant moved out. This meant the newspaper and publishing company could use the whole building. They had a huge 10,000 square feet of space! Greer soon had about one hundred people working for him. The business was busy almost all the time, working 24 hours a day, six days a week.
The Historic Co-operative Publishing Building
Building a New Home
The building the State Capitol newspaper used since 1890 sadly burned down in 1902. But right away, a new four-story building was built in its place, on the very same spot. This new building was designed by a famous architect named Joseph Pierre Foucart. It was finished in 1902. People helped pay for the new building by giving $50,000.
A Major Printing Center
The State Capitol was the first newspaper published in the Oklahoma Territory. It grew to become the biggest printing house west of the Mississippi River! The State Capital Printing Company won all the printing jobs for the Territory. Soon, it became the largest business in the Territory for printing, making books, and supplying school items.
In 1911, Franklin Greer sold the Oklahoma State Capital newspaper. He sold it to its main competitor, the Guthrie Daily Leader. After this, the State Capital newspaper stopped being published.
Even after 1911, the building continued to be used for printing and making books. Its new owner was the Co-operative Publishing Company. This company was the biggest publishing company in Oklahoma for many years.
The Building as a Museum
In 1975, the Oklahoma Historical Society bought the building. They planned to turn it into a museum about publishing. The State Capital Publishing Museum opened its doors in 1983.
However, in the 1990s and again in the 2000s, the museum faced some challenges. Money for the museum was cut, which meant fewer staff and programs. Then, in 2012, unexpected problems with the building's upkeep came up. Because of these issues, the museum had to close. As of 2016, the museum has remained closed since 2012.
